Yes, the idea of submitting your work to festivals is thrilling—but it can also take a lot of paperwork. Not only do filmmakers need to perfect their project’s synopsis and logline, but they also need to craft a biography and director’s statement to go in a digital press kit with visual assets and promotional materials. And then, there is the cover letter for each specific entry.
Skipping that last step is like “sending in a job application without a cover letter,” says Jon Kieran, a programming director at the Atlanta Film Festival. “That would be crazy to me. It’s a very important tool.”
But what exactly should go in this document? How concise should it be? What do programmers want from a cover letter? Read on for everything you need to know.
Why is a film festival cover letter important?
“A cover letter can show that I was in good hands with the filmmaker, that they knew where they were taking me, and what their intent was,” says Drea Clark, the artistic director for Arkansas’ Bentonville Film Festival. While anyone who makes an independent film is obviously enthusiastic about the craft, Clark says that “taking the time to add a cover letter” proves to her that the director “has even more follow-through.”
Rebekah Louisa Smith, a strategist who works as the Film Festival Doctor, says the cover letter is a chance to show how “confident and passionate” you are about your project. She notes that projecting self-assuredness can help you, as well, as there are usually “a lot of nerves and anxiety when submitting to festivals.”
What to include in a film festival cover letter
Cover letters should only be two or three short paragraphs—somewhere around 300 words. “Programmers don’t want to read long letters,” says Smith. “It should be direct, succinct, and to the point.”
Before writing, read through the festival’s FilmFreeway profile to find the programmer’s name, so you can address the cover letter directly to that person instead of to a general reader, like “To whom it may concern.”
Take emotion out of the process, and don’t waste time going into extreme detail on your ultra-low budget or long preproduction history. “What you really need to tell them is why the film is a really good fit for their festival,” says Smith. For example, make sure to highlight any connections to the fest’s location, whether you shot there or a member of the cast or crew has ties to the city. “These are the key angles,” she adds.
Of course, it’s unlikely that a film will have a geographic connection to every festival you submit to. In that case, explain why it’s the right fit for the event’s themes. Maybe you’re bringing a practical effects–filled sci-fi short to a genre festival like Fantastic Fest, or a coming-of-age queer drama to the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival. “A director’s statement is about their artistic inspiration,” says Clark. “The cover letter is what connects it to a specific festival.”
This is also the space to explain what makes your work authentic. Maybe you’ve hired an all-female cast and crew, or have a specific expertise that ties into the story.
Kieran loves to see submitters getting creative. “Most people who have sent us films have written their own scripts. I really appreciate seeing some style and point of view in a cover letter,” he says, adding that it’s extra effective if you can match the tone to your genre. “If you’re submitting a comedy, make it funny.”
Film festival cover letter example
Smith has a cover letter template that she provides to filmmakers. Take a look:
Dear [insert the name of the festival director or shorts programmer or features programmer here; do not put “Sir/Madam”],
[Briefly introduce yourself and your project. For example:] My name is Joe Bloggs, and I am a Cleveland, Ohio–born-and-raised filmmaker who has recently completed and submitted to your festival my debut short film, shot in Cleveland and Columbus. The tracking number is [XXX].
[Mention if the film stars anyone famous or recognizable.]
[Explain why it’s unique; fits the festival’s programming themes, mission statement, and vision; and why it will appeal to their audience’s taste and interests. For example:] [“Name of film”] is a fast-paced horror short that tells the story from the monster’s point of view to give a fresh approach to the horror genre, allowing us to sympathize and understand the “why” behind their violent actions. I chose to tell this story to fill a gap in the genre market, and it’s executed in a way that will resonate with your loyal genre audience and serve as the perfect fit for your late-night shorts programming block.
[Explain briefly why you are a fan of this festival—specifically what you like about its curation, energy, and vibe—and if you and/or a representative from your team can attend if selected.]
